After reports suggested that Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is Queen Elizabeth II's favorite daughter-in-law, there are reports she is not fond of her mother-in-law's royal title plans. When she married Prince Edward in 1999, Her Majesty initially wanted to give them the title of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. However, the Queen and Prince Philip's youngest son asked to have the lesser title of Earl and Countess of Wessex instead.
Queen Elizabeth approved Prince Edward's request. Hence, they are now called the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Eventually, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, got the title of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they got married in 2011.
Express noted that the decision was made to avoid the burdens that came with the royal titles. Sophie and Prince Edward's kids, Louise and James Windsor, also received lesser titles. They are now called Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, which is his father's subsidiary title.
The royal couple wanted to give their children "courtesy titles" as sons or daughters of an Earl, instead of being princes or princesses. The Countess and Earl titles are on the third rank of the royal peerage.
Although the duchess and countess are two different titles, it is both noblest names following Queen Elizabeth. They still play a major role in the charity work and community development of the monarchy despite the differences.
In fact, Business Times recently reported that Sophie gets along very well with Queen Elizabeth. She accompanied the mother of his husband when she went to St Magdalene Church at Sandringham. She even helped her mother-in-law to smooth the Tartan blanket on her lap. Is she the sovereign's favorite daughter-in-law?
Rumors have it that Queen Elizabeth was not fond of Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, and Meghan Markle. However, she reportedly enjoys Sophie's company and knows that she can trust and rely on her son's wife.
When Sophie and Prince Edward had a problem when they were only newly married, she chose to continue her work in public relations. Queen Elizabeth knew that she could count on the 54-year-old royal compared to Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Queen Elizabeth and Sophie have a close relationship, almost like they are mother and daughter. She even commends her marriage to Prince Edward, while her other children's relationships failed. She praises Sophie's dedication to their marriage, knowing how tricky her son can be at times.
